Spanish architecture firm Mesura is fascinated by the way architecture can shape a more meaningful experience of space and site. So, when the studio was approached by a large family who sought a second home in the Catalonian countryside where they could escape the city, the site became a driving force.

“They wanted a home that would offer different experiences of nature, as the plot has a privileged position surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, fields, and mountains,” says Benjamin Iborra Wicksteed, co-founder of Mesura.

To bring this vision to life, Mesura incorporated the spirit of the local area—or the “genius loci”—to craft a home, known as Casa Ter, that celebrates its context. “We made a contemporary interpretation of it, using local knowledge of arts and crafts, as well as local materials and techniques,” says Iborra Wicksteed.

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In addition to working with local materials, knowledge, and artisans, it was essential to create a sustainable home on the site, which runs from a flat landscape of fields up toward a forested hill. The building is situated on the flattest part of the site to avoid interfering with the natural topography and forest, and it incorporates passive design principles to reduce its environmental impact.

“The design’s layout, fabric, and form reduce or remove the need for mechanical cooling, heating, ventilation, and lighting,” says Iborra Wicksteed. “The local climate in Baix Empordà is warm and humid, so shade, ventilation, and a connection between the interior and exterior spaces are key.” Over time, vegetation will grow around the home and on the roof to provide further shading and protection.

The home takes its form from the landscape, with each of three distinct volumes oriented toward a different element of the site—the sea, the hills, and the fields. The public spaces are located in one volume, the private spaces are in another, and the two areas are connected by a traditional covered porch. The living areas extend out into nature—both through the covered porch at the heart of the home and carefully positioned windows that frame specific views.

Emphasizing this connection to the land, Casa Ter is made from ceramics and concrete, referencing the strong ceramics culture in the surrounding La Bisbal area. “The color and worn-out texture reflect that of the landscape and autochthonous architecture in the area,” says Iborra Wicksteed. Through its materiality, the home becomes a part of the site itself, almost appearing to grow from the land.

The entire home is designed to celebrate a Mediterranean way of life. In the colder months, the south-facing exterior space gets sun, and the warm walls create a comfortable interior. In warm months, the exterior spaces are shaded and cross ventilation helps cool the interior.

“We wanted to design a ‘patio house,’ capable of capturing maximum sunlight, while taking into account issues of privacy in regard to the neighbors,” says Iborra Wicksteed.

The home also draws on local tradition through the use of Catalan vaulted ceilings, both in the principal bedroom and throughout the living space. The dramatic vault over the principal bedroom is a reinterpretation of the classic “curved ship” design found in many homes in fishing communities on the beaches of Costa Brava.

The vaulted ceiling on the ground floor is constructed using “Mallorcan revoltón,” a unique tile with a 90-centimeter diameter that is extruded from clay by the brand Baucells Ceramic.

“Our precedents were the local vernacular houses and their traditional construction,” reveals Iborra Wicksteed. “By understanding how these homes worked and were built, we were able to incorporate elements into the design, adapting them to new ways of living and contemporary construction techniques.”

“We were lucky to have a strong connection with the client from the beginning,” says Iborra Wicksteed. “They communicated their needs and expectations in a very precise way, and we listened carefully. We also share a similar set of values—sense of place, sustainability, a contemporary way of living—which turned the process into a very smooth journey. It speaks for itself, and we are both very happy with the result.”

Related Reading:

A Creative Family Turn an Old Spanish Farmhouse Into an Incredible Home

In Barcelona, Vaulted Ceilings Are Always a Win

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Mesura / @mesura.eu

Builder: Burgos Gasull

Structural Engineer: Joan Capdevila

Landscape Design: Mesura

Interior Design: Mesura

Engineer: Campanyà Vinyeta